OSU boathouse will go in park despite protests

Saturday

Aug 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2008 at 2:32 PM

The boathouse for the Ohio State University women's rowing team will be on the west bank of the Scioto River after all, to the dismay of those who didn't want to see a 22,000-square-foot building sitting in their beloved park just north of Griggs Dam.

The boathouse for the Ohio State University women's rowing team will be on the west bank of the Scioto River after all, to the dismay of those who didn't want to see a 22,000-square-foot building sitting in their beloved park just north of Griggs Dam.

"It's a shock," said Lynn Friedman, who lives near Duranceau Park and learned that Columbus and Ohio State had decided that their first choice was the best choice after reviewing seven sites along the river.

Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Alan McKnight said an alternative site on the east bank across from Duranceau Park at first showed promise. But it would take more work to excavate the bedrock on the east side than the west side, he said, adding $835,000 to the price tag.

The alternative site also was too close to launch ramps and a powerboat marina, he said.

Friedman headed a committee that has been meeting with city and university officials since June to discuss options for the boathouse.

Residents and park patrons complained that the building will ruin their secluded 17-acre park, with its picnic tables, towering trees and riverfront view. Neighbors of the park are concerned that the boathouse will lower their property values.

Opponents thought they could persuade the city, which will own the boathouse, and Ohio State, whose Athletics Department is paying $4.87 million to build it, to move it to the east bank of the river.

McKnight told about a dozen members of the working committee Thursday night that the boathouse would be built at Duranceau Park.

"He just pulled the plug," Friedman said.

Beverly Stephens, who lives near the park and is a member of the committee, said she felt blindsided by the decision.

McKnight said he hopes construction will begin by the end of the year, with the building opening next year.

The two-story boathouse will not only have bays for Ohio State's 85-member women's rowing team, but also will store boats for the Greater Columbus Rowing Club and city recreation programs. The site is just north of the city's Indian Village Day Camp.

While the building will take away green space, people will still be able to get to the river's edge through the park, said Ben Jay, the university's senior associate athletics director.

But not like now, Stephens countered.

"It's a little hard to picnic on top of a structure," she said.

Friedman said opponents might protest the decision at Columbus City Council. And some people have spoken with a lawyer.

Opponents said they just couldn't overcome Ohio State's influence.

"The working committee did not have $5 million to throw at the city," resident Bernie Floetker said.